I have a craftsman contractor saw that was new in 2003. I have the chance to trade strait across for a newer #21833 contractor saw.

I know mine cost much more as the new ones are only $550 but is it any better? The only thing that I don’t care for on mine is that I can’t push it up against the wall, dust collection, and that the riving knife doesn’t lower and can get in the way. I have the stock fence and that is kind of a pain but I’m not sure the new one is any better. I have the Hercules lift on mine, the newer one has it built in.

What I don’t like about the newer one is the wings are stamped, mine solid cast on the left and mdf on the right.

4 replies so far

Doesn’t look much different to me. If you are ok with the one you have, it probably isn’t worth it. Another question is why would this person you are trading with want to trade you straight to get an older saw? There’s no such thing as a free lunch. He probably knows something you don’t. I’d keep your saw

No worries about the free lunch. It is due to a family loss and nobody else does anything with wood. I was told I can have either one but one of them has to be sold with the other belongings. I just don’t want to go through the trouble of setting up another saw if it turns out to be less then what I already have.

I do believe my wings and fence are longer.

I think I have the last model of the older contractor style but I can’t figure out why they got so much cheaper. Maybe because mine has the cast wing?